Flexible handled mop holder



July 24, 1962 M. M. COFFMAN ET AL FLEXIBLE HANDLED MOP HOLDER Filed Feb. 1, 1960 3,945,269 FLEXIBLE HANDLED MOP HOLDER Marcella Marie Cofiman, 100 Harlem Road, Rockford, Ill., and Ward M. Vanderpool, Rockford, Ill.

Filed Feb. 1, 1960, Ser. No. 6,038 1 Claim. (Cl. 15-147) This invention relates to an improved flexible handled holder for rnops, applicators and the like.

An important object of this invention is to provide an improved handle and mop head support which facilitates manipulation of the utensil head under, around and behind objects such as furniture and the like.

United States Patent Oflice 3,045,269 Patented July 24, 1962 2 rods in the cluster is selected accordingly. In the embodiment illustrated, seven rods designated a-g, having a diameter of approximately are provided, it being understood that the number and size of rods employed Another object of this invention is to provide a mop holder having an improved flexible handle and mop head support which will maintain a relatively uniform pressure over the face of the mop head during flexing of the handle.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mop holder including a flexible handle section formed of a cluster of resilient rods and having an improved arrangement for rigidly joining the lower ends of the rods to-- gether and for attaching the mop head support to the lower ends of the flexible rods.

Yet another object of this: invention is to provide a flexible handled mop holder which is of simple and economical construction and which is rugged and durable 1n use.

These, together with various ancillary objects and advantages of this invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a cleaning utensil employing the improved handle construction and illustrating the handle in its normally straight condition; FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the cleaning utensil and with the flexible section of the handle bent so as to facilitate cleaning under low objects.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan View of the handle construction and illustrating the manner of attaching the cleaning head thereto;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the handle construction with parts broken 'away and shown in longitudinal section to illustrate details of construction;

FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are enlarged sectional views taken at longitudinally spaced points along the handle when the latter is bent, and on the respective lines shown in FIG. 2, to illustrate the relative shifting of the rods in the cluster during bending of the handle; and

'FIG. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the plane 99 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the manner of attaching the cleaning head to the handle.

Referring more specifically to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the handle includes a rigid upper section 10, conveniently formed of wood or the like, and a flexible lower section 11'. The flexible lower section extends throughout a substantial portion of the overall length of the handle, and, as herein shown, is slightly less than one-half the overall length. A head 12, herein shown in the form of a mop, is swively attached to the lower end of the flexible section 11. It is apparentthat different heads, such as wax applicators, paint rollers and the like can be used on the handle.

In accordance with the present invention, the flexible section 11 is formed of a plurality of generally straight resilient rods which are grouped in a cluster and are rigidly secured together at points spaced longitudinally apart along the resilient section. The resilient section is preferably so arranged as to be sufficiently firm tomain tain its generally straight shape during normal cleaning operations and the number and size of the individual may bevaried somewhat from that specifically shown herein. As previously described, the rods are rigidly joined together at spaced points and, as shown herein, are joined together at their upper end by welding or brazing 14 and at their lower end by welding or brazing 15 so that the ends of the rods are fixed against relative axial or lateral movement. This cluster of rods may be attached to the rigid upper section 10 of the handle in any desired manner and conveniently may be extended into a bore 16 formed in the lower end of the rigid section of the handle. A ferrule 17 is provided on the lower end of the rigid section to prevent splitting of the end.

The cleaning head 12 may be attached to the lower end of the flexible section 11, in any suitable manner. Advantageously, a crosshead 18 is attached to the lower end of the flexible section. The crosshead illustrated herein is formed of metal and has an opening 19 for receiving the lower end of the cluster of rods and which aids in locating the rods during welding. The crosshead is Welded to the rods and has apertured cars 21 at opposite ends. A rnop head support preferably in the form of a rectangular wire frame 22, is swingably mounted on the ears 21. The frame has re-entrant end portions 23 which extend above the plane defined by the U-shaped portion of the frame 22 and terminate in inwardly extending trunnions 24. The wire frame is sufliciently resilient to enable the re-entrant end portions; to be spread apart for insertion of the trunnions 24 into the apertured ears 21. The mop head includes a fabric sheet 28 to which are attached the thrums 29 of the mop. Side flaps 31 and 32 are secured along opposite sides and along one edge of the sheet 28 and are arranged to overlie the wire frame 22. A string or cord 35 is provided to extend between the flaps 31 and 32 and releasably retain the mop head on the frame 22.

Since the rods are all secured together adjacent opposite ends thereof, the cluster of rods will normally assume a preselected configuration. With the seven rods herein shown, the rods a-f are clustered around the central rod g so that the rod cluster has a depth measured in any direction which is greater than the thickness of the individual rod. When the cluster of rods is bent longitudinally, as shown in FIG. 2, the rods such as a and b adjacent the concave side of the bend will be compressed and the rods such as d and e adjacent the convex side of the bend will be axially tensi'oned. Since these rods are secured together only at their ends, the intermediate portions .of the rods are free to move laterally relative to each other so that the compressed rods a and b tend to move downwardly toward the convex side of the bend and the tensioned rods d and e tend to move upwardly toward the concave side of the bend, to relieve the axial stresses therein. Thus, the rods a and b and the rods d and e tend to move toward each other, and, in the absence of anything .to confine the intermediate portions of the rod against lateral spreading would cam the intermediate rods c, gand f apart in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the bend in the flexible section. This reduces the effective depth of the cluster of rods, in the direction of the bend in the flexible section, and thus facilitates bending and flexing of the section 11.

It is preferable, however, to confine-the intermediate portions of the rods and limit lateral spreading of the rods while permitting the intermediate portions .of the rods to shift relative to each other. For this purpose, a resilient sheath 38, of plastic or the like, is disposed around the intermediate portions of the rods and preferably extends throughout the length thereof. A band 39 is disposed around the cluster, adjacent the lower end of the section 11, and is disposed within the lower end of the sheath 38 to support the same thereon. The flexible sheath 38 forms a protective cover for the rods and also confines the intermediate portions of the rods somewhat to prevent unlimited lateral spreading of the rods during bending of the flexible section. Consequently, when lateral pressure is initially applied to the flexible section to bend the same, the rods such as a and b at the concave side of the bend will be placed under compression and the rods d and e at the convex side of the bend will be placed under tension. The axial stresses thus set up in these rods will resist bending of the flexible section 11 and serve to normally maintain the same in its generally straight condition. However, as the lateral bending pressure applied to the flexible section is increased further, the intermediate portions of the rods suddenly shift relative to each other, in a direction which tends to relieve the axial stresses in these rods. For example, when the handle is bent as shown in FIG. 2, the rods a and b tend to move toward the convex side of the bend and the rods d and e tend to move toward the concave side of the bend. Since the rods are confined against lateral spreading, this movement of the rods is in the form of a spiraling or twisting of the rods af around the central rod g.

FIGS. 5-8 are sectional views taken at longitudinally spaced points along the flexible section, when the latter is bent in the direction shown in FIG. 2. While the specific manner in which the rods move relative to each other will vary from time to time and is dependent, among other things, on the arc through which the flexible section is bent and the location of the point of maximum curvature, it is considered that these sectional views will illustrate the general manner in which the rods are displaced during bending of the flexible section. FIG. 5 is taken along the section line 5-5 adjacent the upper end of the flexible section. Since this is closely adjacent the point Where the cluster of rods are rigidly secured together by weld 14, there is substantially no distortion of the crosssection of the cluster at this point during bending of the handle. FIG. 6 is taken on a plane which is spaced from the upper end of the flexible section a distance approximately one-quarter of the length of the flexible section and illustrates that the rods a-f at this point are turned counter-clockwise through a small are from the position shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is taken at a point approximately half-way between the ends of the flexible section and illustrates a further counter-clockwise twisting of the rods a-f. Thus, the mid-point of the rods a and b, which are normally located at the upper side of the cluster, are now disposed adjacent the lower side, and the mid-point of the rods d and e, normally disposed adjacent the underside of the cluster, are located adjacent the upper side. FIG. 8 is taken along a plane intermediate the plane 7-7 and the lower end of the flexible section and illustrates that the rods a-f have less counter-clockwise twist at this point, than at the mid-point of FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 9, the rods at the lower end of the flexible section are arranged with the rods a and b at the upper side and the rods d and e at the lower side, the same as in FIG. 5.

It is thus apparent that as the flexible section 11 is bent downwardly, the rods such as a and b on the concave side of the bend tend to move downwardly toward the convex side and conversely the rods such as d and e at the convex side of the bend tend to move upwardly toward the concave side so as to relieve the axial stresses therein and facilitate bending of the section 11. However, due to the friction between the rods and the resilient retention of the rods together by the flexible sheath 38, these rods do not begin to shift immediately upon the application of lateral pressure to the handle, so that the flexible section will normally maintain its relatively straight condition. Consequently, during normal cleaning operations, the flexible section of the handle will be straight. However, when it is necessary to bend the handle to facilitate cleaning under or around objects, lateral pressure is applied to the handle, and, when the pressure exceeds a preselected amount, the stresses in the rods will overcome the friction between the rods and there is a sudden relatively rapid shifting of the rods in a direction to relieve the axial stresses therein. There is, consequently, a point during the flexing of the section 11 in which only a small increase in pressure is required to produce a relatively large increase in the curvature of the rod. Further, relatively less pressure is thereafter required to produce additional bending of the rod, than would be required if the rods had not shifted relative to each other. Thus, although the handle will normally be maintained in a straight relation and is relatively firm, it can be easily bent through a relatively wide arc and maintained in this condition Without an excessive lateral pressure on the handle. Further, the flexible section of the handle can be bent in any desired direction. This facilitates cleaning under, around and behind objects such as furniture, designated 41 in FIG. 2 and further prevents the application of excessive pressure by the handle onto the head 12. The flexible sheath 38 not only retains the cluster of rods to prevent unrestricted spreading of the intermediate portion of the cluster during the bending, but also forms a protective sheath which prevents scratching or marring of furniture and the like which the flexible handle may contact during use.

I claim:

A flexible handled mop holder comprising a handle having a rigid upper handle section and a flexible lower handle section, said lower section including a cluster of generally straight resilient rods rigidly joined at opposite ends, a flexible sheath surrounding said rods to confine the same during bending of the flexible lower section, a crosshead rigidly attached to the lower end of the flexible lower section and extending transverse to the lower section from opposite sides thereof, said crosshead comprising a metal plate having an opening therein for receiving said rods for locating the same, said plate and the lower ends of said rods being Welded together, said plate having lateral ears at opposite ends and openings in said ears defining sockets, a mop head support mounted on said crosshead, said support including a generally U-shaped wire frame having spaced side pieces; a crosspiece shorter than said side pieces connecting said side pieces at one end thereof to define a plane with said side pieces; and re-entrant portions connected to the other ends of said side pieces and extending inwardly of the U-shaped frame in lateral spaced relation to said side pieces and terminating at their inner ends intermediate the ends of said side pieces, said re-entrant portions extending above the plane defined by said frame and having lateral trunnions on the inner ends pivotally mounted in said sockets on said crosshead to pivotally mount the mop head support on the handle for movement about an axis transverse to said re-entrant portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,259,725 Bohnenblust Oct. 21, 1941 2,665,438 Insley Jan. 12, 1954 2,929,087 Salmon Mar. 22, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 196,582 Austria Mar. 25, 1958 448,239 Great Britain June 3, 1936 535,073 Belgium Feb. 15, 1955 1,098,202 France Mar. 2, 1955 

